gemini

I think you mean "And just what is that supposed to mean sir? Don't you Lieutenant? Blue skies, Jim

typical 2nd Looie Blue skies, Jim

I partially disagree. The most effective position is that which will get a person the slowest vertical fall rate and the fastest horizontal speed. This effective position will depend on the jumpers body shape, muscle strength, height, length of arms, etc. Yours may be tight and tucked, but mine is more open and cupped. I need to trap more air to slow down than you probably do. Blue skies, Jim

Your ideal tracking position will vary depending on your strength, flexibility and body shape. Generally the best trackers are long and lean, but I have seen a short round guy who can track with the best. I personally keep my legs about 6 - 12 inches apart and point my toes slightly inward. I have several friends who keep their legs together, but point their toes outward. There appears to be some confusion about the "unstable" feeling when tracking. My best track from altitude with a regular RW suit with loose sleeves was 2.25 miles at an average speed of 83. Usually I get a vertical speed of around 92. On these tracks I tend to rock a bit (chipping) especially when the track is going well. I always know when I hit my max because that is when the instability starts. The only thing I can attribute it to is the amount of air that is being cupped tends to bleed off unevenly from left to right. Other good trackers may be able to explain this better than me. The key to better tracking is to practice tracking at the end of each jump. If I am doing a 2 way or a 4 way, at break-off I turn and burn and go as hard as I can ... as if I am doing a 100 way. Basically I get two skydives for one....1. RW jump and 2 a tracking dive. Blue skies, Jim

Sounds like you may be very flat in your track and are potato chipping. Most of us experienced this when first learning to arch in freefall. We experienced it again when learning to flat track. Along with the video as noted above, you can move your arms down from your sides (away from your hips) for stability.You can play with the distance away and down from your hips to find the right spot for your body size and shape. Think about rolling your shoulders forward and your legs slightly down (point your toes). This will help you cup air on all four sides. This allows you to slow your vertical rate and help your horizontal speed. When I first started, I would turn 180 from the base and look between my feet at the others in my group. This got my head down and kept my feet slightly apart as well. Speed instantly would increase, but can be to steep for good flat tracking. You may want to use it to start just to get your speed up to alleviate some of the chipping. Remember the maximum flat track can be inherently unstable so some chipping indicates you will be reaching your maximum track. Blue skies, Jim

The Texas POPS Record Attempt at Skydive Spaceland roster is now full. However, I will accept 3-7 more POPS jumpers to fill in as necessary prior to the event. If you are a POPS member and an experienced big way jumper, you shouldn't miss this opportunity to take part in the best regional POPS series ever held. AZ and FL were great successes and we anticipate TX and IL continuing the achievements. Our goal is to make this year's October POPS World Record the best POPS event every held. POPS records have been set in the last 3 out of 3 record attempts. (IL, WR, FL). Help us make TX the 4th! Blue skies, Jim

Hope you had a great day AD. HBD from your friends at Spaceland. Blue skies, Jim

Michelle? Blue skies, Jim

You know you owe it and they probably will take it out. Leave the balance you owe and take almost all the rest if you need it. Blue skies, Jim

Or six months elapses, or mid-management changes ..whichever comes first! Blue skies, Jim

Yeah Lisa that's the ticket! FREE. While we're at it why do jumps cost so much? The DZO should let us jump for free since he makes so much profit from the tandems. Blue skies, Jim

I once worked with a guy who was known as always being at work. He was there when you came in and was there when you left. I asked him one time if he really worked all those hours and he chuckled and said, "You know, if you get to work 5 minutes before the boss and leave 5 minutes after he leaves...." Sometimes two can play the game. Blue skies, Jim

If anyone has their email addresses, please send them to me for the website photo page. Thanks. Blue skies, Jim

This is the reason police have to sometimes use two sets of cuffs on large guys. The person doesn't have the flexibility to bend their arms behind them. My problem as a student was the shifting of the rig in freefall and the use of different student rigs. I started on a 288 and finished with a 190 so the container kept shrinking on me! This wasn't the instructors fault. It was just the problem with me getting a little better after each jump. Blue skies, Jim

D plane! What a great group of jumpers. They sure made my job easy.... It feels good to start the season out with a solid completion. Blue skies, Jim

New Florida State POPS record of 76, with friends at DeLand. Yep, it's a good Friday! Blue skies, Jim

Email with your email address sent to her. Blue skies, Jim

http://www.flyvertical.com Blue skies, Jim

http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=6777 Blue skies, Jim

The "Special" freefly suits are sustom suits from FireFly and the only thing different about them is they have really tiny grippers! Blue skies, Jim

Registration for the FL POPS March is closed and the roster is full. 92 applications for 72 slots. Invitations have been sent to jumpers. Registration for TX POPS in May is still open, but filling up. 57 applications for 72 slots. Invitations will be sent out February 15th. Registration for IL POPS in July is still open, but filling up. 63 applications for 84 slots. Registration for POPS WR in October is still open with 77 registrations for 125 slots. Please go to http://www.bigways.com or http://www.texasstaterecord.com to register for a big way event. Blue skies, Jim

Spaceland - Otters & Caravans Blue skies, Jim

FL POPS (72 way) and Back to the Future 100-way Diamonds are both full. Tim Webb is sending the FL invitations out daily at this time. BJ Worth has sent all his invitions out and will be working from his waiting list if necessary. Neither event is taking any more applications. Iowa State Record is issuing invitations and registration is still open. TX POPS (64-74 way) is still open and will start issuing invitations on Feb 15th. IL POPS (72 way) is still open. Invitations have not been issued at this time, but this is a July 4th event so it is a little early. 2008 POPS WR is still open, but filling fast. This is a Fall event so it is to early for invitations to be mailed. New on the agenda and on the web soon: 1. Fall Spaceland Big Way Camp (80 slots) 2. Fall Spaceland 40-60-ways (same week as camp) Rumors are flying about a 200-way in the Fall. Stay tuned. Blue skies, Jim

Can't help you there, but I have a 1968... Blue skies, Jim

I have the reverse situation. Out of the 4-8 networks I can see on any given day at best only 2 are secured; mine and a corporate site. When I set the network up the first time, I hosed the security without realizing it. Not only could no one else use it, neither could I, but I didn't realize it at the time. At the end of the first year when the neigbor moved, I realized I had been on their network the whole time! Boy did I feel like a dumbass!!! Blue skies, Jim